The Office of Admissions will be hosting the Future Panther Tailgate on Saturday to offer prospective students an inside look at Eastern.

Check-in is from 3:15 to 3:45 p.m. at Pemberton Hall, campus tours are from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m., the cookout begins at 4 p.m. at the Pavilion and kickoff starts at 6 p.m. at the Pavilion.

Events Coordinator Molly Button said there will be a group photograph taken at Pemberton Hall, and Smokey’s BBQ is catering the cookout.

Students will also receive two free tickets, one for themselves and one for a guest, to the football game where the Panthers play against the Indiana State Sycamores, she said.

Current students of Eastern and their families are also welcome to attend.

Additionally, there will be an application station and more admission information for students who want to become Eastern students.

“The overall purpose (of the tailgate) is to get a feel of what campus is like; what our student life is like here,” Button said. “It’s to get a feel of our atmosphere.”

Director of Admissions Kelly Miller said the tailgates have a very positive effect on potential students.

Since Miller has been a part of the panther tailgates, she said they have grown and developed rapidly. 

“We had about 35 students (my first year),” she said. “Last year we were up to 85, plus families. This year we have 142 students, plus their families, who have registered.”

Button said all of the admissions staff and Eastern President David Glassman will be at the tailgate, and the Office of Admissions has also invited alumni.

“Everyone is welcome,” she said. “It’s more of a laid back type of event. People come and eat, and then they might go walk around the Pavilion area or go see a different part of campus.”

Button said one of her favorite things about the event is attending the football game with the students and watching the marching band perform.

“When (the marching band members) come by and do a personalized set for the students, the parents really do appreciate that,” she said.

Another great aspect of the Future Panther Tailgate is knowing that it is a collaborative event where Eastern and part of the Charleston community get involved, she said.

Button said the tailgates have a strong effect on current students at Eastern as well.

“I think a lot of our current students, especially if they’re freshman and sophomore age, really get a kick out of helping that next class because they just went through the process,” she said. “Some of them attended tailgate a year or two ago, so when they’re on the other side of things and are assisting with planning and tours, I think it kind of comes full circle.”

Miller said the tailgate is one of the best ways for potential students and current students to immerse themselves into the friendly Eastern community.

Logan Raschke can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected].